Heater



Oct. 17, 1939.

W. G. CARRUTH HEATER Filed June 5, 1937 2 sheets-sneer 1 INVENTOR 6'. Carra/ ATTO RN EYS Patented Oct. 17, 1939 PATENT OFFICE HEATER William G. Carruth,

Richmond Hill, N. Y.

Application June 5, 1937, Serial No. 146,563

11 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in heaters.

Its object is to provide a simple structure for raising the temperature of water or converting it into steam for building heating purposes, which structure has many advantages over such as have been available heretofore.

One of the specific objects of my invention is to provide an apparatus which is especially designed for use with oil or gas burners and which is constructed to utilize the heat from such burners to the greatest possible extent. To this end my novel apparatus is constructed with a tortuous passage through which the heat must pass, and with provisions for varying the length of this heat passage according to the draftconditions of each installation. Substantially hat water sections alternately project from opposite Walls of the furnace in staggered relation and are constructed with transverse passages, some or all of which may be closed by plates which fit them. 'I'he length of the draft passage Within the furnace depends upon the number of these transverse passages Which are closed.

Another object is to provide water-jacketed doors which form the greater part of the walls which join those from which the Water sections pro-ject, which doors when swung open provide easy access to the interior of the furnace for inspection or cleaning.

Opposite ends of the water sections are open into continuous water chambers in the Walls which are not closed by the doors and water coils are placed in these chambers to provide a supply of hot water for domestic use in addition to that used for building heating purposes.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will appear in the following specification in which I will describe an embodiment of the invention, the novel features of which will be set forth in appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a central sectional elevation of a heater which is made according to` and embodies my invention;

Fig. 2 is an elevation on a smaller scale of the same parts, the view beingtaken at right angles to that of Fig. land one of the doors, of which a part-only is shown, is swung open;

Fig-3 is an elevation of the apparatus taken in the same direction as that of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional plan View of some of the parts shown in the latter figure, the Section being taken on the line 4--4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an elevation of a modified form water coil. Y

I0 designates a base section, in which is a burner I I which is not shown in detail as it forms no part of my invention. This section and those 5 above it are substantially square. v

The next section, designated by the reference numeral 29, rests in a groove I2 formed around the upper edge of the base I0. It forms water chambers 2 I, 22 open at their ends into the verti- 10 cal water chambers lll and 4| which will be described later. The part which forms the chamber 22 projects approximately half way across the furnace to provide a large open area 23 above the burner II, and to form a deflector for the'hot 15 gases from the burner. 24 is a water supply pipe entering the chamber 22.

The next section 30 fits onto section 20. It is constructed with thin plates 3| and 32 to form shelf-like water sections 33, 33A, open at opposite 20 ends to the vertical water chambers and 4I. The plates 3| and 32 are joined at one end at 34 in a plane which forms one side of the furnace and at their other end 35 on a curve, spaced from the opposite side of the furnace to leave a flue 25 passage 36. 3`| are transverse walls running between the plates 3|, 32 separating the water sections 33, 33A and forming a flue passage 38 intermediate a plane through the center of the furnace and the end 35 of plates 3|, 32, which flue in this 30 case is shown closed by a lid 39.

From Fig. 1 it may be seen that the plates 3|,

32 are slightly farther apart at the end 34 than they are at the end 35. From Fig. 2 it may be seen that the plate 3| is disposed horizontally and 35 it has a corrugated or wavy conguration. This is a preferred construction as it increases the heat absorbing area. From Fig. 2 it may be seen that plate 32 has a smooth concave surface which is also a preferred construction as it provides the 40 maximum area for the hot gases at the center of the furnace and facilitates cleaning.

The next sections 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D and 30E will not be described specifically as they are all like section 30. 1t will be noted, however, that 45 these sections are assembled in alternately different relations so that the ends 35 of adjacent sections are alternately at opposite Vsides of the furnace (see Fig. 1).

5|] is a top section which forms a steam dome 50 when the furnace is used as a steam generator, or for water at its maximum temperature when used in a hot Water building heating system. 5| is an outlet pipe for steamor the hot water.

Lugs I3 project from opposite sides of the lower 55 of a section 3E! and lugs 52 directly above them project from the top 50. The sections are secured together by vertical bolts i4 which pass through these lugs and by nuts on these bolts.

53 is an exhaust fitting secured to the top 5|) with a suitable opening 54 for connection with a chimney.

42 designates Water coils in the water chambers 40 and 4|. 43 is an inlet pipe to these coils and 44 an outlet from them. It is to be understood that similar inlet and outlet pipes are connected to the coils in the other water chamber. These pipes may be connected in parallel or in series.

'I'he coils shown in Fig. 3 are of sufficient capacity to contain a supply of hot water for desired purposes, such as for household use. When it is desired to use a storage tank in conjunction with the coils in the water chambers 4! and 4|, I prefer to use a smaller number of coils set at greater relative angularity, as shown at 62A in Fig. 5, as such an arrangement facilitates the thermal circulation through them.

I have described the sides of the apparatus which form the water chambers 40 and 4|. The greater part of the other two sides are formed of swinging doors, which I will now describe.

'Ihese doors are designated generally by the reference numeral 60. As they are similar in most respects, except for the fact that the one under the exhaust tting 53 is shorter than the other, it is only necessary to describe one of them in detail. It comprises an outer plate 6| which is substantially flat, and an inner plate which has concaved portions 62 opposite the ends 35 of the water sections, and intermediate portions S3 which abut against the ends 34 of the water sections when the doors are closed. Packings 6d may be placed in these intermediate portions. The space 65 between these outer and inner plates is filled with water.

66 are pintle lugs projecting from the water sections and 61 are arms projecting from the door and pivotally connected with the lugs by pintles 68. Suitable latches 59 are provided on the opposite side of the door to keep it closed. The longer door is provided with a sight opening 60A through which the burner may be observed.

10, 1| (Figs. 2 and 3) are swiveled pipe couplings in axial alinement with the pintles 68, connected with the water chamber 4|, and by pipes 12, 13, respectively, with the lower and upper parts of the water space 55 within the door.

The water sections are intertted by a tongue and groove construction at their abutting edges, as shown in Fig. 2, and may be provided at their corners with centering pins I5 (Fig. 4) As many of these sections as may be desired for a given installation may be assembled. By this construction very large heat adsorbing surfaces are provided. Furthermore, the water which is subjected to the hot gases is divided into a plurality ofY thin sheets, thereby providing for a maximum heating efficiency. The entire interior of the apparatus is easily exposed to view by opening either of the doors 6U, and by opening both of them any part of the heater may be cleaned readily.

One of the most objectionable features of such heaters as have been available heretofore, when fired by oil or gas burners, is the diiculty and often the impossibility of proportioning the passage for the hot gases to the chimney draft conditions. With a strong Ldraft a large amount of the hot gas passes off through the chimney and is wasted. With an inadequate draft the circulation is abnormally retarded. I have overcome this diiculty by providing the transverse passages 38 through the water sections. These serve no particular function when closed by the lids 39, but a desired number of them may be opened when the apparatus is installed to shorten the hot gas passage to suit the draft conditions found in` each particular case. In Fig. l the transverse passages 38 in sections 30A and 36C have been left open by the removal of their lids 39 and the hot gas passage shortened thereby. By this expedient the most eiicient heat adsorption is obtained and the spent gases discharged into the chimney at a temperature but slightly in excess of the heated water or steam. Moreover, with this arrangement it is possible to use the proper number of water sections to adsorb the greatest amount of the heat generated by the burner.

The heater coils 42 or 62A are submerged in the water heated by the hot gases and are so positioned that the water in them is heated in a most eflicient manner. way and take up no extra space.

I am aware of the fact that many structural modifications may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention and intend no limitations other than those imposed by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A heater having a substantially rectangular body, said heater comprising a plurality of superposed water sections with opposite hollow sides open at the top and bottom forming two sides of said body and hollow transverse shelves extending from one toward the other side of the body opening into said hollow sides, said sections being assembled in alternating relations to form a tortuous gas passage between the shelves and around their ends and vertically continuous water chambers, and means for closing the other sides of the body.

2. A heater having a substantially rectangular body, said heater comprising a plurality of superposed water sections with opposite hollow sides open at the top and bottom forming two sides of said body and hollow transverse shelves extending from one toward the other side of the body opening into said hollow sides, said sections being assembled in alternating relations toy form a tortuous gas passage between the shelves and around their ends and vertically continuous water chambers, and water jacketed members forming the other sides of the body.

3. A heater having a substantially rectangular body, said heater comprising a plurality of superposed water sections with opposite hollow sides open at the top and bottom forming two sides of said body and hollow transverse shelves extending from one toward the other side of the body opening into said hollow sides, said sections being assembled in alternating relations to form a tortuous gas passage between the shelves and around their ends and vertically continuous water chambers, and pivoted .doors forming the other sides of the body.

4. A heater having a substantially rectangular body, said heater comprising a plurality of superposed water sections with opposite hollow sides open at the top and bottom forming two sides of said body and hollow transverse shelves extending from one toward the other side of the body opening into said hollow sides, said sec- 'Ihese coils are out of the tions being assembled in alternating relations to form a tortuous gas passage between the shelves and around their ends and vertically continuous water chambers, and water jacketed pivoted doors forming the other sides of the body.

5. A heater having a substantially rectangular body, said heater comprising a plurality of superposed water sections with opposite hollow sides open at the top and bottom forming two sides of said body and hollow transverse shelves extending from one toward the other side of the body opening into said hollow sides, said sections being assembled in alternating relations to form a tortuous gas passage between the shelves and around their ends and vertically continuous water chambers, means for closing one of the other sides of the body and a water jacketed pivoted door forming another side of the body, and water connections between the water sections and the door comprising pivotal couplings in axial alinement with the door pivots.

6. A heater having a substantially rectangular body, said heater comprising a plurality of superposed water sections with opposite hollow sides open at the top and bottom forming two sides of said body and hollow transverse shelves extending from one toward the other side of the body opening into said hollow sides, said sections being assembled in alternating relations to form a tortuous gas passage between the shelves and around their ends and vertically continuous water chambers, water jacketed pivoted doors forming the other sides of the body, and water connections between the water sections and the doorscomprising pivotal couplings in axial alinement with the door pivots.

7. A heater having a substantially rectangular body, said heater comprising a plurality of superposed water sections with opposite hollow sides open at the top and bottom forming two sides of said body and hollow transverse shelves extending from one toward the other side of the body opening into said hollow sides, said sections being assemb-led in alternating relations to form a tortuous gas passage between thev shelves and around their ends and vertically continuous water chambers, means for closing the other sides of the body, a transverse passage through the shelf of at least one of the water sections, and a removablelid for closing said passage.

8. A heater having a substantially rectangular body, said heater comprising a plurality of superposed water sections with opposite hollow sides open at the top and bottom forming two sides of said body and hollow transverse shelves extending from one toward the other side of the body opening into said hollow sides, said sections being assembled in alternating relations to form a tortuous gas passage between the shelves and around their ends and vertically continuous water chambers, pivoted doors forming the other sides of the body, a transverse passage through the shelf of at least one of the water sections, and a removable lid for closing said passage.

9. A heat-er having a substantially rectangular body, said heater comprising a plurality of superposed water sections with opposite hollow sides open at the top and bottom forming two sides of said body andk hollow transverse shelves extending from one toward the other side of the body opening into said hollow sides, said sections being assembled in alternating relations to form a tortuous gas passage between the shelves and around their ends and vertically continuous water chambers, water jacketed pivoted doors forming the other sides of the body, water connections between the water sections and the doors comprising pivotal couplings in axial alinement with the door pivots, a transverse passage through the shelf of at least one of the water sections, and a removable lid for closing said passage.

10. A heater having a substantially rectangular body, said heater comprising a plurality of superposed water sections with opposite hollow sides open at the top and bottom forming two sides of said body and hollow transverse shelves extending from one toward the other side of the body opening into said hollow sides, said sections being assembled in alternating relations to form a tortuous gas passage between the shelves and around their ends, and vertically continuous water chambers, means for closing the other sides of the body, and a water coil in one of the chambers of the body which is formed by the hollow sides of the water sections 11. A heater having a substantially rectangular body, said heater comprising a plurality of superposed water sections with opposite hollow sides open at the top and bottom forming two sides of said body and hollow transverse shelves extending from one toward the other side of the body opening into said hollow sides, said sections being assembled in alternating relationsV 

